Container with improved stability and pour spout

ABSTRACT

The object of the invention is to produce an attractive environmentally friendly biodegradable pouring container. The body of the improved container is optimally formed in the shape of a conical frustum or cylinder. The assembly being a healthier and environmentally superior alternative to traditional plastic non-biodegradable containers. The seams and folds of the container are joined with adhesives or other means, which strengthen the vessel and prevent leakage. The adhesives may be beverage or food friendly and approved by the Food and Drug Administration as required by the container&#39;s contents. When used as a drinking-vessel the invention lends itself to a variety of choices for the lid/top designs and the methods of production are straightforward and affordable. 
     The tapering shape, large at the bottom and narrow on top, provides improved stability due to its lower center of gravity relative to the amount of contents in the container at any given time. Unlike traditional cylindrical beverage vessels and cups, which are narrow at the bottom and wide on top, this shape decreases the likelihood of the container being easily knocked over thereby allowing the invented container to be set on a surface with a greater angularity than containers currently in the art. As an option either container shape can be constructed with three or more protrusions or points of support around the perimeter of the base allowing for additional support or balance. This is potentially an important improvement in stability by now allowing the user to place the container on an uneven surface such as a rock, log, dashboard, console, and etcetera. Additionally, a thin coat of wax, rubber, etc. may be applied to either the base perimeter or base protrusions to add additional gripping strength to prevent the container from slipping. 
     The entire container may be designed to be environmentally superior by the use of biodegradable materials for all components of the assembly thereby reducing the estimated time required to biodegrade from 700 years or more for typical plastic bottles, down to a few months for the current invention

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The subject invention generally applies to the containment of fluids and pourable solids and the ease of dispensing or consuming them. The purpose of this invention is to help solve some of the inherent problems found in, and considered by many, a direct consequence of the current prior art; particularly with regards to the plastic beverage container industry.

Description of the Prior Art

Some scientist claim plastic pollution is a bigger environmental problem than Climate Change. In the U.S. alone an estimated 66 billion bottles of just water are consumed annually with 80% of the empties ending up in either a landfill or the ocean. One of six known ocean garbage patches is now called “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” found in the North Pacific Gyre and estimated to be the size of Texas. The collections of these plastics gathered by the circulating ocean currents destroy the pertinent ecosystems where they congregate and ultimately circulate endlessly. Where the prior art has ultimately created an environmental crisis, due to the estimated 700 years it takes to decompose the plastic containers, in contrast our container takes only a few months to decompose.

Another irritant relative to the distribution of plastic beverage containers is the additional deposit money that is required by some states while purchasing the bottled water or beverage. The cost of goods is elevated while the plastic bottles are seldom returned and recycled. In contrast, paper food containers, which would include ours, do not require a deposit as they decompose rapidly in landfills and do not create a hazard or environmental crises.

Next is the harmful effects on our health that has been studied and proven to be a direct result of leaching chemicals from the plastic containers, such as Bisphenol A known as BPA which has been linked to a host of serious health problems included but not limited to:

-   -   Altered immune system function     -   Early puberty in girls and fertility problems     -   Decreased sperm count     -   Prostate and breast cancer; and     -   Diabetes and obesity to name a few.

To leave your plastic container in the sun will heighten the problem as the ultraviolet rays and high temperatures accelerate the leaching progression of the plastic's chemicals. In contrast, similar paper based beverage containers to ours, has been used in the dairy industry for decades with wonderful results and is not considered harmful to either the environment or our bodies. While taking all the above into account, we feel it is time to introduce a new sleek and attractive design, alternative to plastic, which can be introduced into the mainstream marketplace to fill a current market void. Some of the problems with the current biodegradable beverage containers are:

-   -   Many are collapsible pouches that cannot be set down without         spilling; our design stands up by itself.     -   Many current paper beverage containers are square and do not         lend themselves to the common round beverage holders found in         cars, on bicycles etc. Our containers are round and compatible         with most beverage holders.     -   Most paper beverage containers on the market today, simply put,         are just unattractive and not something you would want to walk         around with carrying them in public. Our container in contrast         has a sleek and modem look. Additionally, patrons can make the         connection that our product is biodegradable without even         reading the label.     -   Most paper cup designs are narrow at the bottom and wide at the         top, rendering the drinking vessel top-heavy and easy to knock         over. Ours in contrast is wide at the bottom and gently narrows         towards the top for superior balance and stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The preferred embodiment of the claimed invention provides a convenient aesthetically pleasing bio-degradable container for fluids and solids that is environmentally friendly and useful to the consumer. Additionally, it provides a means of resolving the current negative environmental impact of plastic containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the inside plan view of the stock material showing the fold lines required to manufacture the embodiment with integral body and top seal.

FIG. 2 is the plane exterior view of the stock material showing the side seal area and the fold line for the integral, “Pull Tab”.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the stock material after having been formed into a conical frustum and sealed along the side

FIG. 4 is a side view of the stock material after having been formed into a conical frustum and sealed along the side.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the container after having a first inward fold.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the container after the first inward fold.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged oblique downward detailed view of the container spout area after the first inward fold showing the spout opening detail.

FIG. 8 is a side view after the second inward fold.

FIG. 9 is a front view after the second inward fold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding features or parts throughout the several views the improved container is described. Referring to FIG. 1 shows the inside plan view of the stock material, which may be common milk carton material such as 300-330 gsm poly coated SBS paperboard or similar material 13. Also, shown in FIG. 1 are the fold lines required to manufacture the embodiment with integral body and top seal after the material has been folded into the preferred conical shape and sealed along the overlapping edges 6 (Ref. FIG. 3). Dashed line 1-1 indicates the first inward fold lines, 2-2 indicates the second inward fold line.

Referring to FIG. 2 which shows the plan exterior view 14 of the stock material 13 showing the over-lapping side seal areas 6 and the optional fold line 4 for the integral, “Pull Tab”. Also shown is the area for the seal 5 to the bottom component (not shown), and the relative position of not less than three optional protrusions 3 for enhanced stability.

Referring to FIG. 3 the front view having been formed from the stock material 13 into a conical frustum and sealed along the side 6 and FIG. 4 the side view of the same conical form showing the curved profile angle “A”.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the container is shown after the first inward fold (1-1) has been completed (Ref. FIG. 1). FIG. 5 is a section view of the view shown in FIG. 6 and includes a sectioned view of one of many possible bottom closures commonly known in the art 10.

Referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged oblique downward detailed view of the container after the first inward fold (1-1) has been completed (Ref. FIG. 1). In this view the pour spout area 9 is shown. Also shown are the areas where the material of the first fold is sealed 8 to the stock material 13.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 the container is shown after the second inward fold (2-2) has been completed. The fold is also sealed to the stock material 13. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container assembly for liquid or pourable solid materials uniquely shaped, folded and sealed such that: it retains a lower center of gravity to optimize container stability, provides an improved pour spout and eliminates the need for a separate top closure component. This container is comprised of: a body/pour spout component formed from a biodegradable single layer or laminate sheet stock. The sheet stock being optimally similar in materials and thickness as a common milk carton. The body component and pour spout closure being further defined as: an initial forming and sealing of the component such that resulting shape may be generally described as having the form of a conical frustum with the top end truncated with a curved surface along an angle “A” generally described as an approximately 35-degree angle (Ref. FIG. 4). This angle being optimal for non-viscous fluids. Other form angles are envisioned to optimize pour characteristics of different materials as well as optimum manufacturing requirements. a first inward fold of the body/pour spout component. The fold generally described as folding the material inward beginning at the base of angle “A” formed in the previous step resulting in an exterior angle “B” of approximately 70 degrees (Ref. FIG. 5) and an interior angle “C” of approximately −2 degrees (Ref. FIG. 5). Other form angles are envisioned to optimize pour characteristics of different materials as well as optimum manufacturing requirements. a second inward and downward fold generally described as a pushing of the upper most portion of the structure downward toward and mating to the surfaces referred to as “C” formed during the first inward fold, followed by the final sealing of the pour spout portion of the container. Other form angles are envisioned to optimize pour characteristics of different materials as well as optimum manufacturing requirements. a bottom closure formed from the same or similar sheet stock. adhesive materials, approved for use with the enclosed materials, to join the body and bottom components. 2; The assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein a backward fold (FIG. 2 feature 4) of the pouring feature yields an integral pull tab. 3; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is formed from a printable sheet stock 4; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is formed from non-biodegradable sheet stock. 5; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the assembly is completed using alternate sealing methods such as Heat sealing, Heat fusion, Hot gas Welding, Infrared welding, Laser welding, Ultrasound welding, Fastening or other methods as known by those with common skills in the art. 6; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body component or bottom sealing component is constructed with not less than three integral protrusions forming a multi contact point footprint around the base perimeter creating a more stable container when placed on uneven surfaces. 7; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top opening can be resealed. 8; The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a separate pull tab component is fixed to the body component material before or after the folding and sealing that forms the top closure. 9; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container assembly requires a separate top closure component. The top closure being further defined as a top closure from the same or similar sheet stock that features a three-fold closure with integral pull tab. The top closure having an opening for the dispensing of the contained fluid or solid material 10; The top closure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the container is formed from a printable sheet stock 11; The top closure as set forth in claim 9 wherein assembly is completed using alternate sealing methods such as Heat sealing, Heat fusion, Hot gas Welding, Infrared welding, Laser welding, Ultrasound welding, Fastening or other methods as known by those with common skills in the art. 12; An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the frustum base or bottom sealing component is constructed with integral protrusions forming a multi contact point footprint around the perimeter creating a more stable container when placed on uneven surfaces. The protrusions optimally numbering three contact points, but more protrusions may be created depending on various applications. 13; An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container assembly is manufactured of durable, non-biodegradable materials and sealing methods are limited only such that they do not contaminate the enclosed fluid or pourable solid. 14; An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the body component or bottom sealing component is constructed with not less than three integral protrusions forming a multi contact point footprint around the base perimeter creating a more stable container when placed on uneven surfaces 15; An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the top opening can be resealed. 